Agenda item

Description:

This application sought approval for the demolition of the existing building and the erection of a four storey building comprising of 8 self-contained flats and associated cycle parking.

Additional Information:

The Planning Development Manager gave the following updates:

The revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was issued by Government on 24 July 2018 after the publication of the Planning Committee agenda.  There were no material changes in circumstances which would alter the recommendation of any of the planning applications on the agenda.  This application for residential development refers to the need for and supply of housing and the amendments are set out as follows:

Reference to para 47 of the NPPF.  Now paras. 59-61 of the NPPF 2018 which states:

59.    To support the Government’s objective of significantly boosting the supply of homes, it is important that a sufficient amount and variety of land can come forward where it is needed, that the needs of groups with specific housing requirements are addressed and that land with permission is developed without unnecessary delay.

60.    To determine the minimum number of homes needed, strategic policies should be informed by a local housing need assessment, conducted using the standard method in national planning guidance – unless exceptional circumstances justify an alternative approach which also reflects current and future demographic trends and market signals.  In addition to the local housing need figure, any needs that cannot be met within neighbouring areas should also be taken into account in establishing the amount of housing to be planned for.

61.    Within this context, the size, type and tenure of housing needed for different groups in the community should be assessed and reflected in planning policies (including, but not limited to, those who require affordable housing, families with children, older people, students, people with disabilities, service families, travellers, people who rent their homes and people wishing to commission or build their own homes).

Reference to para 49 of the NPPF. Now Para 75 of the NPPF 2018 which states:

75.    To maintain the supply of housing, local planning authorities should monitor progress in building out sites which have permission.  Where the Housing Delivery Test indicates that delivery has fallen below 95% of the local planning authority’s housing requirement over the previous three years, the authority should prepare an action plan in line with national planning guidance, to assess the causes of under-delivery and identify actions to increase delivery in future years.

Reference to para 14 of NPPF.  Now Para. 11(d) of the NPPF 2018 which states:

“Where there are no relevant development plan policies, or the policies which are most important for determining the application are out-of-date, granting permission unless:

(i)   the application of policies in this Framework that protect areas or assets of particular importance provides a clear reason for refusing the development proposed; or

(ii)   any adverse impacts of doing so would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the policies in this Framework taken as a whole.”

Amendments to the advice note to read:

Decision Making: Working in a Positive and Proactive Manner

In assessing this application, officers have worked with the applicant in a positive and proactive manner consistent with the requirements of the NPPF.  This included the following:-

a)         Provided pre-application advice to seek to resolve problems before the application was submitted and to foster the delivery of sustainable development.

b)         Provided feedback through the validation process including information on the website, to correct identified problems to ensure that the application was correct and could be registered;

c)         Have suggested/accepted/negotiated amendments to the scheme to resolve identified problems with the proposal and to seek to foster sustainable development and to improve the economic, social and environmental conditions of the area;

d)         Have proactively communicated with the applicant through the process to advise progress, timescales or recommendation

Public Speaking:

In accordance with the Council’s procedure for speaking at meetings, Adam Gosling spoke for the proposed development raising the following key points:

·Have amended the scheme since the last application was refused by the Planning Committee

·Have removed top floor flat from the scheme

·         Have provided greater details on materials

Debate:

During the debate the following key issues were raised:

• Both previous reasons for refusal have been addressed
• Good to see amended plan
• Residents’ comments have been considered seriously
• Concern over appearance

Decision:

The application was approved as per the Officer’s recommendation.